Moatsü dances of the Ao
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Songs and dances of the Ao Naga people during Moatsü, the festival held in early May after the sowing season.
TribalWhere: Nagaland (Mokokchung district)Occasion: Moatsü festival, in the first week of May
| Performed by | Men and women of Ao villages |
|---|---|
| Costume | Ao shawls and wrap-around skirts, beads, and warrior dress for men |
| Music and instruments | Traditional songs sung by the group, with drums |
How it is performed
- After the fields are sown, villagers gather in their best traditional clothes.
- Men and women sing and dance in groups around a fire or in the village ground.
- Songs praise the ancestors and the land, and pray for a good harvest.
- Dancing is followed by feasting and games that bring the whole village together.
Significance
Moatsü marks a time of rest and joy after hard work in the fields, and is the main festival of the Ao Nagas.